Core Technology
Two-Photon Polymerization (TPP)
Two-Photon Polymerization (TPP) is a maskless direct laser writing technology. With TPP, the light-matter interaction only takes place within the volume of a focused laser spot.
The simultaneous absorption of two photons in the focused spot triggers the locally confined polymerization of an exposed photoresist.
The laser focus can be moved through the volume of the photoresist along all three spatial dimensions. Complex 3D structures are written along the laser’s trajectory, using light like a brush.
Thanks to its versatility, TPP fabrication has applications in many fields, including microoptics, photonics, micromechanics, and biomedicine.
Advantages of TPP
High resolution and real 3D printing capabilities set TPP apart from alternative technologies and enable novel applications in different industries.
Complex Structures in One Process Step
Very complex structures can be fabricated in one single process step without the need for subsequent deposition of fresh material as in conventional 3D printing technologies (e.g. metal 3D printing or stereolithography).
Resolution below the Diffraction Limit
Non-linear absorption means that printing resolution at the 100 nm scale can be achieved. The resolution is therefore not limited by diffraction, as opposed to conventional laser scanning methods.
Pictured: A metalens for Visible Light, courtesy of PHENOmenon, EU-funded project, GA 780278)
Accuracy and Scalability
Very accurate structures can be realized, ranging from the sub-micrometer to the centimeter scale. TPP bridges the gap between nano- and microfabrication tools and conventional 3D printing.
Stitching-free Fabrication Capability
Superior quality of optical components without stitching defects can be achieved with Infinite Field-of-View (IFoV) writing mode, using the synchronized 5-axes design in Multiphoton Optics’ MPO 100 direct laser writing equipment.
The picture on the left shows a cylindrical microlens array fabricated with stitching. A major drawback of this technique are unwanted stitching artifacts along the borders which will lead to a degradation of quality for many optical components.
The picture on the right shows the cylindrical microlens array fabricated by using IFoV writing mode. By synchronizing the stage and galvo axes, it is possible to write large structures without stitching.
Compatibility with Nano- and Microfabrication Processes
Since the TPP technology uses similar materials (photoresists and solvents) as in standard nano- and microfabrication technologies, integration into conventional workflows is seamless.
On-Device Printing
Structures can be printed directly on active (LEDs, photodiodes, EELs, VCSELs) or passive (fibers, irregular substrates) devices.
This eliminates time intensive legacy processes such as active alignment of individual components.
Microoptics for various applications
Microlens arrays with varying sizes and shapes can be used for imaging and sensor applications.
TPP fabrication process -
based on three steps
To achieve high quality results, deep knowledge on structure formation induced by the exposure strategy is crucial. Over the years, Multiphoton Optics has developed and optimized exposure strategies for printing results in accordance with customer requirements.
